New York –
In the wake of more than 30 killings of gay men and lesbians in Jamaica, New York groups are calling on promoters to cancel appearances by dancehall artists who sing about killing and maiming gays. The coalition, NO MORE MURDER MUSIC!, is made up of Jamaican, Caribbean, lesbian, gay and AIDS activists.
There were 648 incidents reported to AVP in 2003, up 26% from 2002. There were also startling increases of 29% and 23% in victims and offenders. In addition, the number of anti-LGBT homicides rose 80%, from 5 in 2002 to 9 in 2003.
Already, more than two dozen concerts featuring Beenie Man and Buju Banton have been cancelled this summer, most of them in the United States.
The cancellations are a result of activist efforts to generate awareness of the problem. Most sponsors and concert venues have responded quickly to concerns.
"It seems U.S. promoters of Jamaican dancehall artists don't understand the violently anti-gay lyrics, which are sung in Jamaican Creole," said J. Anthony of Hotness Newsletter, a Jamaican LGBT publication. "Once the lyrics were translated, companies like RJ Reynolds and Puma either cancelled concerts, or told artists they could not perform gay-bashing songs on stage."
However, New York radio station Hot97 and concert venue Hammerstein Ballroom have not yet responded to a request from NO MORE MURDER MUSIC! to cancel a Sept.3 concert featuring artists known for their violently anti-gay messages.
Beenie Man, Vybz Cartel, TOK and Elephant Man are all on the bill for the concert titled "On Da Reggae Tip." Hot97 is also sponsoring Beenie Man's appearance at Labor Day celebrations in Brooklyn.
"Hot97 claims it wants to be a positive force on the streets. They 'bleep' lyrics they deem offensive. But they'll play 'We Nuh Like Gay' in its homocidal entirety, and present a concert where artists will call to 'rid the earth of gays'" said Amanda Lugg of NO MORE MURDER MUSIC! "Hot97 could have a huge positive influence; they could refuse to promote an artist until he stops preaching bigotry and murder. But they've sat back so far."
"This is not about taking down reggae, and it's not 'against Jamaica.' It's Jamaican LGBT people who are being beaten and killed, in Jamaica and abroad, very much at the suggestion of certain singers. If government and police are unwilling to fight the violence, people have to demand accountability from those sponsoring the violence," said Colin Robinson of the NYS Black Gay Network.
The NO MORE MURDER MUSIC! coalition includes the New York State Black Gay Network, Gay Men of African Descent, the New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the Bronx Lesbian &
Gay Health Resource Consortium, and African Services Committee.
The coalition is working in concert with international groups, including Hotness Newsletter and JFLAG, the Jamaica Forum for
Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays, www.jflag.org.
For an Amnesty International report on homophobic violence and dancehall lyrics: www.amnesty.org.
The New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is the nation's largest service agency for victims of bias crimes against the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected communities. For nearly twenty-five years, AVP has provided counseling and advocacy for thousands of victims of bias-motivated violence as well as for survivors of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, HIV-related violence, and police misconduct. AVP documents incidents of violence against and within LGTB communities, educates the public about the effects of violence, against or within our communities, and works to reform public policies impacting all lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected people.
AVP provides free and confidential assistance to crime victims through our 24-hour bilingual hotline (212-714-1141).
